Establish and Support Afghanistan Model Schools

Afghan girl overcomes challenges

By Stephen Perlman - Director, U.S. Operations

12th grader Asia

Despite the encouraging headlines that more Afghan girls are enrolled in school than prior years, the sad truth is too many of these girls drop out of school due to the economic hardship their families face and all-too-often, are forced into early marriage and childbearing.

This unfortunate scenario seemed to be the story of 9th grader Asia, a bright, talented student who dreamed of one day learning the computer, but her school lacked a computer facility and classes. Asia knew of a computer course not that far from her neighborhood, but it was not free and her parents were poor. A high school in another district did offer classes for students, but leaving her neighborhood was very dangerous as security for girls was poor.

When her family decided to move to a safer district, Asia's life changed dramatically. The school Asia enrolled in had a computer laboratory and a caring teacher who took Asia under her wing. Although she had never touched a computer in her life, within a year Asia had mastered Windows, MS Word, MS Excel and Power Point. Her teacher was astounded. Never had she seen a girl progress so rapidly in gaining computer skills and applying them so effectively. In addition, Asia became a unofficial computer coach and mentor for many of the other girls in her class.

By the time Asia entered the 12th grade, her remarkable achievements had caught the attention of the Behzad Institute of Computer and English Language in Kabul and after a stellar interview, she was hired to become a computer instructor. Needless to say, Asia's parents are extremely proud and the money Asia earns goes a long way to help her family economically.

HTAC is proud to support the computer education program at Asia's school. Afghan girls can do remarkable things if we given them a chance.

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